Dominion Plans Solar Surge, Keeps Natural Gas

Dominion Energy plans more than 39 gigawatts of new power generation over the next 20 years to meet surging electricity demand in Virginia, according to its latest integrated resource plan update.

The roadmap calls for over 21 gigawatts of solar, 3.5 gigawatts of battery storage, 3.3 gigawatts of wind, and 2 gigawatts of small modular reactors, alongside 9 gigawatts of new natural gas. 

The company—which currently owns or contracts with renewable projects in five states, including Virginia—says carbon-free resources aren’t yet commercially viable or sufficiently dispatchable to meet roughly 4% annual load growth, which is expected to double demand by 2045.

Residential bills are projected to rise under both company and regulatory calculations, while the plan aims to reduce reliance on costlier power purchases from the regional grid.

Richmond Airport Advances $250M Checkpoint

A Richmond International Airport committee has picked a design firm for a $250 million project that would merge its two security checkpoints into one area with up to 14 lanes.

The Capital Region Airport Commission’s planning committee voted last week to recommend a $13.4 million design contract with Gresham Smith, a Nashville firm with a local office whose team includes several Richmond-area firms.

Beyond combining the A and B concourse checkpoints, the plan, unveiled a year ago, adds a second level with administrative offices and a grand hall, plus more concessions and a lounge. Seven contractors responded to a request for proposals to build it, and staff expects to bring a pick to the commission in January.

The committee also backed a $20.6 million deal with Norfolk-based Tazewell Contracting for a two-story “rental car connector.” Both contracts still need full commission approval. 

Virginia Tech Joins Federal Mining Project

Virginia Tech will help build and test next-generation mining technology as part of a federally backed project led by Lynchburg’s Innovative Wireless Technologies.

The work falls under the Department of Energy’s $73 million “Mine of the Future” initiative, which aims to shore up America’s supply of critical minerals by moving new mining tools out of the lab and into working mines.

Innovative Wireless Technologies is leading a roughly $25 million effort, with about $17.7 million from Washington and the rest from partners including Virginia Tech and the Colorado School of Mines.

Virginia Tech expects to receive about $4.6 million for wireless, tele-remote, and advanced mining research, pending final award negotiations. Test sites are planned in Blacksburg, along with locations in West Virginia and Colorado. 

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➤ Statewide: Virginia’s General Assembly canceled its Oct. 26 special session to elect Court of Appeals judges over scheduling conflicts, scuttling Sen. Glen Sturtevant’s hoped-for push to debate a data center moratorium. (More)

➤ James City County: An elementary student brought a handgun to Williamsburg Christian Academy on Friday and was later found with it at an after-school program, police say. James City County police and the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office are both investigating. (More)

➤ Fluvanna County: The Southern Environmental Law Center sued on behalf of six residents to overturn the county Board of Supervisors’ 4-1 approval of a 1,540-megawatt Tenaska gas plant, alleging the board leaned on unenforceable developer promises and skipped its own zoning and public-hearing rules. (More)

➤ Henrico County: The family of King Overton, a 9-year-old who drowned at a SwimRVA summer camp in June, filed a $100 million wrongful-death lawsuit Friday, alleging an inflatable play structure blocked the only staffed lifeguard stand. (More)

➤ Lynchburg & Danville: Early voting is surging as the Nov. 3 election nears. About 6,600 ballots have been cast in Lynchburg, while Danville has recorded roughly 2,800, more than double its 2022 midterm total. Early voting runs through Oct. 31. (More)

➤ Chesterfield County has opened five library branches as early voting satellite sites: Clover Hill, Ettrick-Matoaca, LaPrade, Meadowdale, and North Courthouse Road. (More)

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➤ The Washington Commanders dropped to 1-4-1 after a 17-23 Monday Night Football loss to the undefeated San Francisco 49ers, as Jayden Daniels’ two second-half touchdown passes sparked a late comeback that fell short. (More)

➤ Undefeated James Madison visits Appalachian State in Boone, North Carolina, on Thursday. The Dukes are favored by 10.5 points in the Sun Belt matchup. (More)

➤ UVA’s men’s basketball boasts one of the nation’s top backcourts heading into the season, featuring sophomore point guard Chance Mallory, a popular breakout pick, and shooting guard Sam Lewis. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech volleyball swept UVA 3-0 Friday at Cassell Coliseum, snapping a nine-match losing streak to the Cavaliers. Right-side hitter Frances Torres led the way with 13 kills, and outside hitter Destiny Walker added 10. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | NFL | NHL | Soccer

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➤ Henrico officials cut the ribbon this month on Medallion Park, a $100 million redevelopment across Telegraph Road from the former Virginia Center Commons mall site, pairing the 279-unit Signal at Medallion Park apartments with 170,000 square feet of renovated office space. (More)

➤ Blacksburg’s town council voted unanimously to replace the $1,000 criminal penalty for operating a noncompliant short-term rental with a $500 civil penalty, matching state code. Renters may now also operate one short-term rental with their landlord’s permission. (More)

➤ Dutch Bros opened its first Virginia location Friday at 796 Lynnhaven Parkway in Virginia Beach, next to Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. (More)

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➤ A goat-farming craze is attracting small-scale farmers, but experts urge caution. Seven Gables Farm & Apiary in Hardy has raised Nigerian Dwarf goats for a decade and advises newcomers to vet breeders carefully and weigh the commitment before diving in. (Watch Report)

➤ George Mason University and VCU researchers landed a two-year, $200,000 state grant to study chemotherapy-induced nerve pain in breast cancer, using proteomics and a tumor-bearing mouse model to learn how cancer and chemo combine to damage nerves. (More)

➤ Virginia landed 16th in a 2026 happiness index that weighed well-being, work environment, and community conditions, with a score of 56.08. Hawaii topped the ranking, and West Virginia came in last. (See Map)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. 

➤ The million-dollar retirement dream is shrinking, and the biggest threat isn’t the one most retirees expect. (Listen Now)

➤ Ukrainian drone operators completed a frontline medical evacuation that had never been done before. (Hear Details)

➤ A National Guard member was shot after troops stepped in to break up a late-night street fight in Washington, D.C. (Hear Story)

What would most improve your airport experience?

1. Shorter security lines
2. More restaurants
3. A comfortable lounge
4. Better parking
5. Other (reply to tell us)
6. I don’t fly

Yesterday’s Results:

What’s your favorite Chuck Berry song?

1. Johnny B. Goode: 39%
2. Not a Chuck Berry fan: 15%
3. Maybellene: 14%
4. Roll Over Beethoven: 13%
5. Rock and Roll Music: 10%
6. Sweet Little Sixteen: 6%
7. Other: 3%

Where is Virginia’s only exhibition mine located?

Show me the answer